Faculty of Business and Law

School: Law and Justice

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Psychology and Criminal Justice
  • Unit Code

    CRI1105
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

In this unit, students apply psychological principles to legal matters. Therefore, students develop an understanding of the primary theoretical perspectives within psychology. Students also develop an understanding of the three stages of the criminal justice system - the investigatory, the evidentiary and the dispositional stages. Students also develop an understanding of how psychological principles can inform our understanding of what occurs in each stage of the criminal justice system.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded JUS1106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically consider the research that informs our understanding of psychology and criminal justice.
  2. Critically discuss the ability to detect deception.
  3. Critically discuss the psychological factors associated with eyewitness testimony.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of jury behaviour.
  5. Demonstrate creativity, English language proficiency, sound communication skills and an ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  6. Describe the special conditions that should be afforded to children as witnesses.
  7. Discuss the nature of judicial decision making.
  8. Discuss the various witness recognition procedures.
  9. Explain prejudice and discrimination as it applies to police activities, juror and judicial decision making.
  10. Explain the psychological principles relevant to interviewing.

Unit Content

  1. Detecting deception.
  2. Eyewitness testimony.
  3. False memories.
  4. Interviewing offenders, witnesses and children.
  5. Judicial decision making.
  6. Jury decision making.
  7. Theoretical perspectives within psychology.
  8. Witness recognition procedures.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is conducted in both the off-campus and on-campus modes. On-campus students attend a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial each week. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts relevant in understanding the psychological principles which underpin aspects of police investigations as well as aspects of court procedure and decision making. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding psychological aspects of the criminal justice system. Industry-relevant guest speakers deliver some content as part of this unit. On-campus tutorials provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail and in doing so, further develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking, oral and written communication skills as well as their teamwork skills. Off-campus students are provided with an electronic version of the internal lecture and weekly tutorials. All information is delivered to off-campus students via Blackboard. The lectures are used to introduce the central concepts relevant in understanding the psychological principles which underpin aspects of police investigations as well as aspects of court procedure and decision making. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding psychological aspects of the criminal justice system. Industry-relevant guest speakers deliver some content as part of this unit. Regular online activities delivered via the online modules and the discussion board provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail. Online tutorials using Adobe Connect Pro allow students to develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking, oral and written communication skills as well as their teamwork skills. Regular online access is required.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationPresentation20%
ReviewLiterature Review40%
ExaminationFinal examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationPresentation (electronically)20%
ReviewLiterature Review40%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Kapardis, A. (2003). Psychology and law: A critical introduction (2nd ed.). London: Cambridge University Press.
  • Wrightsman, L.S. (2001). Forensic psychology. Canada: Wadsworth.
  • Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (1994). Psychology and law: Research and application. California: Brooks/Cole.
  • Bull, R.M. (1999). Investigative interviewing: Psychology and practice. Indianapolis: Wiley.
  • Costanzo, M. (2004). Psychology applied to law. Indianapolis: Wiley.
  • Memon, A. (2003). Psychology and law: Truthfulness, accuracy and credibility. Indianapolis: Wiley.

Journal References

  • Psychology, Crime and Law
  • Law and Human Behaviour
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
  • Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CRI1105|2|1

Faculty of Business and Law

School: Law and Justice

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Psychology and Criminal Justice
  • Unit Code

    CRI1105
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

In this unit, students apply psychological principles to legal matters. Therefore, students develop an understanding of the primary theoretical perspectives within psychology. Students also develop an understanding of the three stages of the criminal justice system - the investigatory, the evidentiary and the dispositional stages. Students also develop an understanding of how psychological principles can inform our understanding of what occurs in each stage of the criminal justice system.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded JUS1106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically consider the research that informs our understanding of psychology and criminal justice.
  2. Critically discuss the ability to detect deception.
  3. Critically discuss the psychological factors associated with eyewitness testimony.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of jury behaviour.
  5. Demonstrate creativity, English language proficiency, sound communication skills and an ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  6. Describe the special conditions that should be afforded to children as witnesses.
  7. Discuss the nature of judicial decision making.
  8. Discuss the various witness recognition procedures.
  9. Explain prejudice and discrimination as it applies to police activities, juror and judicial decision making.
  10. Explain the psychological principles relevant to interviewing.

Unit Content

  1. Detecting deception.
  2. Eyewitness testimony.
  3. False memories.
  4. Interviewing offenders, witnesses and children.
  5. Judicial decision making.
  6. Jury decision making.
  7. Theoretical perspectives within psychology.
  8. Witness recognition procedures.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit is conducted in both the off-campus and on-campus modes. On-campus students attend a two hour lecture and a one hour tutorial each week. Lectures are used to introduce the central concepts relevant in understanding the psychological principles which underpin aspects of police investigations as well as aspects of court procedure and decision making. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding psychological aspects of the criminal justice system. Industry-relevant guest speakers deliver some content as part of this unit. On-campus tutorials provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail and in doing so, further develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking, oral and written communication skills as well as their teamwork skills. Off-campus students are provided with an electronic version of the internal lecture and weekly tutorials. All information is delivered to off-campus students via Blackboard. The lectures are used to introduce the central concepts relevant in understanding the psychological principles which underpin aspects of police investigations as well as aspects of court procedure and decision making. The lectures also direct students to relevant literature and discuss its application to understanding psychological aspects of the criminal justice system. Industry-relevant guest speakers deliver some content as part of this unit. Regular online activities delivered via the online modules and the discussion board provide students the opportunity to discuss critical aspects of the content in greater detail. Online tutorials using Adobe Connect Pro allow students to develop their oral communication skills. Assessment methods provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their content knowledge, critical thinking, oral and written communication skills as well as their teamwork skills. Regular online access is required.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationPresentation20%
ReviewLiterature Review40%
ExaminationFinal examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationPresentation (electronically)20%
ReviewLiterature Review40%
ExaminationFinal examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Kapardis, A. (2003). Psychology and law: A critical introduction (2nd ed.). London: Cambridge University Press.
  • Wrightsman, L.S. (2001). Forensic psychology. Canada: Wadsworth.
  • Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (1994). Psychology and law: Research and application. California: Brooks/Cole.
  • Bull, R.M. (1999). Investigative interviewing: Psychology and practice. Indianapolis: Wiley.
  • Costanzo, M. (2004). Psychology applied to law. Indianapolis: Wiley.
  • Memon, A. (2003). Psychology and law: Truthfulness, accuracy and credibility. Indianapolis: Wiley.

Journal References

  • Psychology, Crime and Law
  • Law and Human Behaviour
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
  • Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CRI1105|2|2